More Sustainable Rail Travel for California – MOU Signed
Stadler has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to design and deliver four zero-emission hydrogen FLIRT trains for California. This MoU articulates the responsibilities and roles of each stakeholder and will result in a contract outlining the procurement of the zero-emission multiple units with the option to purchase up to 25 units.
The vehicles are scheduled to operate statewide in California, and this MOU acts as an interim agreement to begin work on California’s next major rail investment.
Stadler is the only manufacturer in North America that designs and builds field-proven rail vehicles that meet FRA AVT crashworthiness standards. Stadler is also one of the few original equipment manufacturers to have built a zero-emission multiple unit using hydrogen fuel cell technology. For these reasons, CAlSTA and CalTrans have entered into a memorandum of understanding with Stadler.
Stadler sold a FLIRT H2 to another California customer, the San Bernardino County Transit Authority (SBCTA), in 2019. The vehicle was presented to the public for the first time today at the InnoTrans in Berlin. The FLIRT H2 for SBCTA is scheduled to begin passenger service in 2024 as the first hydrogen-powered passenger train in the United States.
“Stadler’s goal is to contribute to environmentally friendly travel in North America with our vehicles and services. Very few rail lines in the US are electrified, which is why solutions like the FLIRT H2 are so important here. It’s great to be part of California’s journey towards green travel with another zero emissions project in the state, and we look forward to continuing our work with CalSTA and CalTrans to make this a reality,” said Martin Ritter , CEO of Stadler US Inc.
The Stadler FLIRT is a single-deck multiple unit for intercity and long-distance traffic. Stadler has sold 2000 units of its bestseller in 21 countries. In addition to fully electric, diesel and multi-mode drives, Stadler also offers FLIRT vehicles with alternative drive solutions such as batteries and hydrogen. Stadler’s battery train, the FLIRT Akku, currently holds the world record for the longest distance for a battery train in pure battery operation.
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